1600 applicants for 80 jobs

On track: The new Pak ‘n Save store at the Westwood Development in Blenheim.

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The new Blenheim Pak ‘n Save received 1600 applications from throughout the country for 80 positions, owner-operator Andrea Boock says.

Between 1000 and 1200 people applied for a range of supermarket jobs, and some people had applied for more than one position.

Ms Boock, who was the former owner of the Blenheim New World, said she was delighted in the interest shown.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response from the community. . . . [it] is a massive response and reflects the positive feedback we've had in the wider community about the new store."

There are 80 fulltime and part-time positions to fill across a range of jobs, including deli, checkout and produce, she said.

The team of seven managers for the new 6000 square metre store and petrol station had been recruited before Christmas.

Ms Boock and her husband Mark Elkington were working through the interview process with the Foodstuffs training and development team and an external HR consultant agency.

Since applications closed in December, Ms Boock and her HR manager Dianne Black had whittled down the 1200 individual applicants to 300.

Three days of group interviews of up to 12 people ended yesterday and successful applicants will be told by February 8, Ms Boock said. The group interview format was useful for determining how individuals performed in a variety of situations and where they were best suited to work, she said.

"We've been really impressed by the extremely high calibre of applicants and the enthusiasm they have shown to be part of the team at the new store."

The store, which was being built by Blenheim firm Robinson Construction, was on track to open in March, she said.